Film container

ABSTRACT

A film container designed for one-way insertion into a photographic structure having a support member especially adapted to receive the film container. The film container and support member are each provided with guide surfaces, e.g., a rail and a recess, which are adapted to mate in only one position of the film container and support member relative to each other. Upon mating, the film container is guided by these surfaces to a predetermined position within the photographic structure whereat one of the film units located within the film container is located in position for exposure. The guide surfaces restrict the path of movement of the container into the predetermined position to one which will minimize any possible damage to components of the photographic structure.

United States Patent Erlichman [4 1 June 27, 1972 1541 FILM CONTAINER Irving Erlichmln, Wayland, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid, Cambridge, Mass;

[22] Filed: Feb. 24, 1970 21 Appl. No.5 13,623

[72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl ..95/19, 352/78, 95/13 v [51] Int. Cl. G03b 19/10 [58] Field of Search ..95/19-26, 66-72, 95/13; 352/72-78; 353/120; 679/100.22; 242/197; 274/4 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,022,362 11/1935 Porter ..352/175 3,227,508 l/1966 Bavaro ..353/18 X 3,025,750 3/1962 Polar et al. ..352/72 3,359,877 12/1967 Kitrosser... ....95/19 X 3,468,498 Bunting ..242/207 3,504,135 3/1970 Hammond ...274/4B 3,517,896 6/1970 Kral ..242/197 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner--Richard M. Sheer Attorney-Brown and Mikulka and Alfred E. Corrigan [5 7] ABSTRACT A film container designed for one-way insertion into a photographic structure having a support member especially adapted to receive the film container. The film container and support member are each provided with guide surfaces, e.g., a rail and a recess, which are adapted to mate in only one position of the film container and support member relative to each other.

Upon mating, the film container is guided by these surfaces to a predetermined position within the photographic structure whereat one of the film units located within the film container is located in position for exposure. The guide surfaces restrict the path of movement of the container into the predetermined position to one which will minimize any possible damage to components of the photographic structure.

36 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJum 1972 SHEET 2 BF 5 R. m NM A w w E m M w w m w F nK a E m 5 it m A NON 3 PATENTEDJum 1912 I 3, 672 2T6 sum 5 or s INVENTOR.

IRVING ERLICHMAN ma (25 m FILM CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is concerned with improvements in the design of slim, compact film containers and photographic structures with which they are adapted to be used. Photographic structures such as cameras include a plurality of components, e.g., lens and shutter mechanisms, bellows, reflecting surfaces, supporting structures, and erecting links which are assembled within rather close tolerances in order to insure the quality of the photographic image produced therein and to keep the size of the camera to a minimum. Needless to say, it is imperative that these tolerances are not only to be maintained while the camera is in use but that these components be protected from possible damage. Many of the cameras available today are loaded with a film container by first rotating a loading door through an angle of 90 or more and theninserting the film container in a direction directly towards the lens and/or other components of the cameras exposure system. Movement of the film container in this direction often results in the film container striking one of the components of the exposure system before it is finally supported by the camera structure with the final result being possible misalignment and/or damage to one of these components. Further, because the opening through-which the film container is inserted is so large relative to the film container it often happens that the film container is incorrectly positioned within the camera. For example, the film container could be inserted in an inverted manner, in which case the photosensitive element of thefilm unit would be facing away from the camera's exposure system. Or, the film container could be inserted into the camera backwards, thereby possibly misaligning the phososensitive surface of the film unit with (l) the exposure aperture of the camera and/or (2) the index system used to remove the film unit from the camera. In the latter case, the indexing system may include, e.g., one or more apertures located along one side of the film unit adapted to cooperate with suitable means, e.g., a sprocket wheel, located within the camera to move the film unit from the camera. If the film container were inserted into the camera backward, the apertures and sprocket wheel could not be in alignment with each other, thereby preventing movement of the film unit subsequent to exposure. Further, the film container may include a source of power having terminals adapted for engagement with electrical contacts located in the camera for operating components of the camera when the film container is correctly positioned with respect to the camera and therefore correct placement of the container within the camera is essential. From the foregoing it can be seen that there is a need in the art for some type of structural cooperation between the camera and the film container whereby a film container can be initially received by means associated with the camera, at a point spaced from components of the cameras exposure system, and thereafter guided along a predetermined path until the film container is properly positioned within the camera. Also, the cooperation between the film container and the camera should be such that the camera will initially receive the film container only when it occupies a predetermined spatial relationship with the camera thereby insuring proper orientation of the film container within the camera.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art has not directly addressed itself to the above problem. Of possible interest is U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,081 granted to H. Nerwin on June 23, 1964, which discloses a film container that appears to be adapted to be inserted into a camera in one direction only. However, the configuration of Nerwins container precludes its insertion into the camera until the cameras door has been rotated approximately 90 about its hinge to the open position. Opening the door 90 fully exposes components within the camera to possible damage upon insertion of the film container into the camera. For example, it is possible that the user of the film container shown in said aforementioned patent could accidentally strike and damage the cameras metering member or viewfinder with the container upon inserting the latter into the camera.

The prior art also shows guide means on a container for guiding the container to a position wherein the forwardmost film unit is in position for exposure. For example, US. Pat. No. 1,266,323 shows a container having flanges along its side which cooperate with the open back of a camera for locating the forwardmost film unit in position for exposure. However, it is possible to insert the container in an upside down manner. Although this error may be noticed before a film unit has been exposed there will still be the loss of time involved in correcting this error before an exposure can be taken. This loss of time may be just long enough to lose the scene which the user wanted to capture on the film unit, e.g., a record breaking event in sports or a mothers expression upon first seeing her new born child, scenes which may never be recorded on film once lost.

Obviously, the film containers disclosed in the aforementioned patents do not satisfy the need for a slim, compact film container which is adapted for rapid one way insertion into a camera in a predetermined direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A film container is disclosed herein which is adapted for insertion into and support by a support member located within a camera only when the film container and the support member occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. Also, the container is inserted into and guided through the camera at an angle which will minimize any damage to the cameras exposure system. The film container and the support member are provided with guide means which are adapted to permit insertion of the film container into the camera in one direction only, and thereafter to guide the container along a predetermined path, i.e., at an acute angle relative to the cameras exposure plane until it is at least partially supported by the support means. The film container includes terminals which are adapted to engage electrical contacts in the camera when said film container is properly positioned within the camera for connecting components of the camera with a power supply. 1

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to construct a film container which can only be inserted into photographic structures of the type mentioned above in a single predetermined manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a photographic structure of the type including support means for supporting a film container in a predetermined position within the structure and a film container adapted for insertion into the structure, guide means on said support means and said film container adapted to allow said film container to be guided to said predetennined position only when said guide means occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a photographic structure of the type mentioned including a container having a source of power including terminals adapted to engage electrical contacts in the photographic structure, guide means coupled with the container and the photographic structure for insuring that the terminals and contacts occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other when the container is properly positioned within the photographic structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a photographic structure of the type including support means for supporting a film container in position for exposure of the forwardmost film unit within the container, guide means coupled with the support means for receiving the film container at a position remote from the main camera body, only when the film container occupies a predetermined spatial relationship with the support means, and thereafter guiding the film container along a predetermined path to its final position within the photographic structure.

Other objects of the invention will in part by obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view, partly in section, of a preferred form of photographic apparatus including a support member and a film container;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the film container and support member of FIG. 1, the film container being shown in its fully loaded position relative to the support member;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view, partly in section, of a modified support member and film container positioned within photographic structure with which it is adapted to be used;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 taken from the opposite side of the photographic structure;

FIG. 5 is a reduced sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross sectional representation of an alternative embodiment of the invention comprising a film container and support member wherein the film container is provided with a single elongated rail located on one of its side walls, said rail being asymmetrically disposed relative to the containers forward and rear walls.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross sectional representation of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a film container is positioned within a modified support member the film container being provided with a plurality of elongated rails which are asymmetrically located with respect to the forward and rear walls of the container;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross sectional representation of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the film container is provided with an elongated rail on its forward wall;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a film container having a plurality of elongated rails positioned on the containers forward wall and being asymmetrically located with respect to the containers side walls;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross sectional representation of still another embodiment of the invention wherein the film container is provided with an elongated rail on its rear wall;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing a film container having a plurality of elongated rails positioned on the containers rear wall and being asymmetrically disposed with respect to the containers side walls;

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross sectional representation of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the film container is provided with an elongated rail on its forward and rear walls, the rails being asymmetrically disposed with respect to the containers side walls;

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross sectional representation of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a film container having an elongated rail on its forward wall and one of its side walls;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing a film container having an elongated rail on its rear wall and on one of its side walls;

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross sectional representation of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a film container positioned within and supported by a modified support member, the film container having an elongated channel in one of its side walls, the channel being asymmetrically disposed with regard to the container's forward and rear walls;

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of the film container of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing a film container positioned within and supported by a modified support member, the film container having an elongated channel in each side wall thereof;

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross sectional representation of still another embodiment of the invention wherein the forward wall of the container is provided with an elongated channel having a T-shaped configuration in cross section;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 showing a film container having a plurality of elongated channels located in its forward wall and being asymmetrically disposed with respect to the container's side walls;

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross sectional representation of another embodiment of the invention wherein the film container is provided with an elongated channel in its rear wall;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 showing a film container having a plurality of elongated channels located in its rear wall, the channels being asymmetrically disposed relative to the container's side walls;

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross sectional representation of another embodiment of the invention wherein each of the containers forward and rear walls is provided with an elongated channel;

FIG. 23 is a schematic cross sectional representation of still another embodiment of the invention wherein an elongated channel is provided in one side wall and the forward wall of a film container;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 showing a film container having an elongated channel in one side wall and its rear wall;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary view of still another embodiment of the invention wherein both the film container and the support means are provided with at least one channel and one rail;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of still another form of photographic apparatus including a support member and a film container, the latter shown partly inserted into the support member;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the film container of FIG. 26 shown positioned within the support member; and

FIG. 28 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 28--28 of FIG. 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein is illustrated support means in the form of a generally rectangular support member 10 adapted to be mounted within a photographic structure; .e.g., a camera, of the type shown in my copending application entitled Photographic Apparatus Ser. No. I79, filed Jan. 2, 1970. Support means 10 is adapted to receive a film container 12 for properly positioning and supporting it within the camera, as shown in FIGS. 25, such that a forward wall 14 of the film container is located closely adjacent the cameras exposure plane.

Film container 12, which may be made from any suitable opaque material, includes in addition to forward wall 14, a rear wall 16, side walls 18 and 20, a leading end wall 22 and a trailing end wall 24. Forward wall 14 includes an exposure aperture 26 defined by rib 28 having a beveled portion 30, and an opening 32 for receiving a film unit engaging member located within the camera and adapted to move the film unit from the container 12 subsequent to exposure. The end of forward wall 14 located adjacent trailing end wall 24 includes means in the form of a lip 34 which is engageable by a portion of the support means 10 for supporting that end of the film container when the latter is properly positioned within the support means 10.

Leading end wall 22 of film container 12 is provided with an opening 36 extending from one side wall 18 to the other side wall 20 to allow passage of a film unit therethrough as more fully explained in my above-mentioned copending application. Also, located on leading end wall 22 are a pair of recesses 38 and 40 in which are mounted terminals 42 and 44, respectively, of a battery (not shown) which may be located within the film container and is provided for operating components of the camera, e.g., the film engaging member. A thermistor 46 having terminals 48 and 50 is located within defined by W- shaped rib 52, the thermistor providing a film speed input as well as a temperature responsive exposure compensation into the exposure control system of the camera. For more detailed infonnation regarding the thermistor, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,63l, issued July 20, 1971, in the name of Edwin H. Land. Each side wall 18 and'20 is provided with an integral guide means in the form of an elongated rail 54 and 56 having an enlargement 58 near the end thereof located adjacent trailing end wall 24. The rails 54 and 56 are substantially identical and are located in a plane which is parallel with the forward wall 14. Also, the rails are located closer to forward wall 14 than to the rear wall 16 to preclude insertion of the film container in an inverted manner into the support means and the enlargement 58 near the end of each rail precludes insertion of the film container trailing end first, i.e., backwards, into the support means 10 as will be more clearly described hereinafter.

Support means 10 includes a forward wall 60, leading end wall 62 (see FIG. 2) and side walls 64 and 66. Forward wall 60, in which the film unit engaging member is mounted includes an exposure aperture 68 which is generally coincident with exposure aperture 26 in film container 12 when the film container is properly supported and positioned by the support means 10 as shown in FIG. 2. Aperture 68 is generally defined by portions of side walls 64 and 66, a rib 70, a portion 72 of forward wall 60 and reentrant flanges 74 and 76. Reentrant flanges 74 and 76 limit the upward movement (as viewed in FIG. 1) of the film container 12 relative to the support means 10. Portion 72 of forward wall 60 includes a recess 78 therein which is adapted to receive and support lip 34 of film container 12 when the container 12 and the support means 10 are properly positioned relative to each other. Although the forward wall has been described as including a portion 72, it should be noted that the upwardly facing surface of portion 72 is not in the same plane as the upwardly facing surface of the remainder of wall 60. As will be noted hereinafter with reference to support member 200, which is similar in many respects to support member 10, the downwardly facing surface of wall 60 is in the same plane as the upwardly facing surface of portion 72. This is dictated in part by the tapered configuration of the film containers shown herein. As can be seen in FIG. 2, side walls 64 and 66 of support means 10 extend beyond leading end wall 62 to define a recess 80 which is adapted to receive a member 82 and a pair of processing'rolls 84 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2). Member 82 has a pair of electrical contacts 86 and 88 mounted thereon which extend through apertures 90 and 92 in leading end wall 62 for engagement with battery terminals 42 and 44. Contacts 86 and 88 are biased into engagement with the battery terminals 42 and 44 by springs 94 and 96 and are suitably retained in member 82 by keys 98 and 100. A second set of electrical contacts 102 and 104 are attached to member 82 by resilient arms 106 and 108 and are adapted to engage the thermistor terminals 48 and 50 when the film container 12 and support means 10 are in the position shown in FIG. 2. The contacts are in turn connected to components within the camera which are to be powered by the battery.

Each of the facing surfaces of side walls 64 and 66 of support means 10 is provided with a guide means in the form of a recess or channel 110 and 112 which are adapted to receive the protrusions or rails 54 and 56, respectively, on film container 12. Each of the channels 110 and 112 is provided with an open end 114 whereat the depth-of each-channel (measured in a vertical direction as seen in FIG. 1) is at a maximum and thereafter tapers to a closed end as the channel approaches leading end wall 62 until its depth at the closed end is substantially the same as the thickness of the narrow or leading ends 55 and 57 of rails 54 and 56.

When a film container 12 is to be properly located within and supported by the support means 10 within a camera, they, i.e., the container and support means, are first positioned in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1, the support means being attached to the camera (not shown). The film container may then be rotated in a clockwise manner through a small angle and the container moved toward the support means 10 until the rails 54 and 56 are received by the channels and 112, respectively. Thereafter, the film container is guided at an acute angle relative to the cameras exposure'plane which, as viewed in FIG. 1 is a plane substantially parallel with and adjacent to the aforementioned plane containing the downwardly facing surface of wall 60 and the upwardly facing surface of portion 72, until the leading end of each rail contacts the closed end of each channel. Before the leading end of each rail contacts the closed end of each channel, battery terminals 42 and 44 engage contacts 86 and 88 and urge the contacts against the bias of springs 94 and 96 toward the processing rolls 82. The thermistor terminals 48 and 50 and the contacts 102 and 104 coact in a similar manner. Moving of the contacts 86, 88, 102 and 104 toward the processing rolls 82 is necessary in order for lip 34 of film container 12 to extend through the exposure aperture 68 and clear the portion 72 of wall 60 having the recess 78 therein. Once lip 34 has been moved in a counterclockwise manner to a position above the recess 78 (further upward movement of the film container being restrained by reentrant flanges 74 and 76) pressure on the rear end wall 24 of the film container is reduced by the person loading the camera to a level whereat the force of the springs 94 and 96 and resilient arms 106 and 108 acting against the container 12 moves the lip 34 into the recess 72. It should be noted that this counterclockwise movement of the lip 34 of the film container 12 toward portion 72 of support means 10 produces a counterclockwise movement of the leading end wall 22. Since theleading end of each rail is at the closed end of each channel and the terminals 40, 42, 48 and 50 are in engagement with their respective contacts at the time of this counterclockwise movement there is a wiping action produced between the terminals 42, 44, 48 and 50 an contacts 86, 88, 102 and 104 which tends to keep their conducting surfaces free of foreign matter. Removal of the container is accomplished by moving the film container against the bias of springs 94 and 96 until lip 34 is out of engagement with recess 78 and then pivoting the container in a clockwise manner until lip 34 clears the edge of the recess. The container may then be moved rearwardly relative to the support means 10 until the rails 54 and 56 are withdrawn from channels 110 and 112. It should also be noted that the contacts 86, 88, 102 and 104 engage the terminals 42, 44, 48 and 50 at a location closer to forward wall 14 than to rear wall 16 in order to create a force which aids in moving the rear end of the film container in a clockwise manner to facilitate removal of the film container from the support meansonce lip 34 has cleared recess 78. It can be seen that the asymmetrical positioning of the rails 54 and 56 with regard to the forward and rear walls 14 and 16 of the film container precludes insertion of the film container in an inverted manner into the support means because the leading ends 55 and 57 of rails 54 and 56 will come into engagement with the ends 111 (only one of which is shown) of the channels. Also, the enlarged portions 58 of the rails 54 and 56 preclude inserting the film container into the support means in a backward manner, i.e., rear end wall 24 first. As a result of this cooperation between the film container and the support means the user of the camera is insured that the film container will always be properly located and positioned within the camera. Further, as will be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the film container is guided into position at an acute angle relative to the exposure plane of the camera thereby minimizing possible damage to components of the exposure system of the camera, e.g., a mirror or reflecting surface mounted on housing section 116.. (see FIG. 3)

A modified film container and support means are shown in FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing a modified support means located within a camera of the type disclosed in my aforementioned copending application with a modified. film container (shown in broken lines) properly located in position forexposure of the forwardmost (top as viewed in FIG. 3) film unit located within the container. The support means shown in FIGS. 3-5 and generally identified by reference numeral 200 is of the same general configuration as support means 10, and includes a forward wall 202 and side walls 204 and 206. A portion 208 of forward wall 202 is provided with a recess 210 for supporting the rear end (to the right as viewed in FIG. 3) of the film container 230. Each side wall 204 and 206 is provided with guide means in the form of tapered recesses or channels 212 and 214 having open ends 216 and closed ends 218 similar to the channels 110, 112, previously described. However, it will be noted from an inspection of FIGS. 3-5 that channel 214 has a height (measured in a vertical direction as viewed in FIGS. 3-5) larger than that of channel 212 for insuring proper insertion of the film container as will be explained hereinafter.

Support means 200 is adapted to receive, guide, and support a film container 230 shown in broken lines in FIG. 3 and in solid lines in FIG. 4. Film container 230 includes a forward wall 232 having an exposure opening 234 therein defined by a flange 236, a rear wall 238, side walls 240, 242, and leading and trailing end walls 244 and 246, respectively. The forward wall 232 of the film container located adjacent trailing end wall 246 is provided with a lip 248 which is received and suported by recess 210 in support means 200 in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Also, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a portion of flange 236 located adjacent end wall 246 is beveled at 250 to preclude the possibility of the flange 236 being hung up or supported by recess 210 when the container 230 is being initially removed from the support means 200. As in all of the support means and film containers described herein, with the exception of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 26-28, the leading end wall 244 of the container is provided with suitable battery and thermistor terminals for cooperating with contacts suitably mounted on the support means in a manner similar to that described previously with respect to the support means and film container shown in FIG. 1. Each side wall 240 and 242 of film container 230 is provided with an elongated L shaped rail or rib 252 and 254, respectively, of different cross sectional thicknesses, and having enlarged portions 256 and 258 near one end thereof. The different thicknesses of the rails or ribs 252 and 254 prevent insertion of the film container 230 into the support means 200 in an inverted manner, i.e., with exposure aperture 234 facing away from forward wall 202 of the support means 200, because recess 212 cannot receive rail 254, and the enlarged portions 256 and 258 prevent insertion in a backward manner, i.e., trailing end wall 246 first.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the film container 230 is loaded or positioned within the camera by first moving the film loading door 260 to the broken line position. The film container 230 is then moved toward the support means 200 until the narrow end of each rib or rail 252 and 254 occupies a predetermined spatial relationship with the open end 216 of each channel 212 and 214. If this predetermined spatial relationship exists, further forward movement (to the left as viewed in FIG. 3) of the film container will result in rails 252 and 254 being received in channels 212 and 214. In other words, the film container is initially received by the support means at a location spaced from the main body of the camera, i.e., section 116 and the camera's shutter housing 1 17. Thereafter the rails 252 and 254 cooperate with the channels 212 and 214 to guide the film container at an acute angle relative to the exposure plane of the camera (which is substantially in a plane containing the interior surface 203 of forward wall 202 and the top surface 209 of portion 208) until the battery and thermistor terminals located on leading end wall 244 of the film container engage their respective spring biased contacts located on the support means 200. Further movement of the film container to the left urges the battery and thermistor contacts to the left until the lip 248 on the film container is located to the left of recess 210. The film container is then rotated a few degrees in a counterclockwise direction until the forward wall 232 of the film container is substantially adjacent to and parallel with interior surface 203 of wall 202. The force of the spring biased battery and thermistor contacts is then allowed to move the film container to the right (further upward movement being restrained by the reentrant flanges of the support means 200) until lip 248 is located in and supported by recess 210. The film container is now properly positioned and supported within the camera. As mentioned previously, the differences in cross sectional thickness of the rails 252 and 254 and their respective recesses or channels 212 and 214, and the enlarged portions 256 and 258 of the rails insure that the film container 230 can be inserted into the support means 200 in only one way, i.e., the correct way. Removal of the film container 230 from the camera is accomplished by reversing the above steps. Note, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, removal of the film container is facilitated by the off center location of the battery and thermistor contacts relative to the center line of the leading end wall 244 of the film container, i.e., a line midway between walls 232 and 238, said off center positioning providing a force urging the rear end of the film container in a clockwise manner. Also, should the portion of the flange 236 having the beveled portion 250 thereon engage portion 208 of wall 202 while the container is being removed, the cooperation between the two will result in the container being urged downwardly. Further, since the film container is guided at an acute angle relative to the cameras exposure plane, damage to components of the cameras exposure system, e.g., a reflecting surface such as a mirror located on an interior wall of housing section 116, is avoided; and the compactness of the camera is enhanced because of the small degree of movement of the camera loading door when the camera is being loaded with a film container.

In FIG. 6 there is shown still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 300 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 320, both the film container and the support means being of substantially the same configuration as those previously described. Film container 300 is provided with an elongated rail 302 along one side wall 304 thereof. Rail 302 is adapted to be received by an elongated, tapered recess or channel 322 located in a side wall 324 of support means 320, said channel 322 being similar in configuration to those previously described. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the adjacent side walls 306 and 326 of the film container and support means are substantially flush with each other when the rail 302 is located within the channel 322 to provide lateral support for the film container. Rail 302 is asymmetrically disposed relative to the forward and rear walls 308 and 310 of the film container 300 in order to preclude the possibility of inserting the film container into the support means in an inverted manner, i.e., with forward wall 308 facing downwardly as viewed in FIG. 6. Also, since there is only one channel in support means 320 the film container 300 cannot be inserted into the support means 320 in a backward manner because rail 302 cannot clear the end of side wall 326.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated still another embodiment of the instant invention. A film container 340 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 360, said film container and support means being substantially similar to those described in FIG. 6 with an exception that each side wall 342 and 344 of the film container 340 is provided with an elongated rail 346 and 348 adapted to be received in elongated, tapered channels 362 and 364 located in side walls 366 and 368 of the support means 360. The rails 346 and 348 are asymmetrically disposed relative to the forward and rear walls 350 and 352 of the film container. This asymmetrical positioning of the rails insures that the film container and the support means must occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each before the support means will receive the film container, thereby insuring proper loading of the film container into the camera.

In FIG. 8 there is shown another modification of the instant invention. A film container 370 is shown properly located within and supported by a support means 390. In this embodiment the forward wall 372 of the film container 370 is provided with an elongated rail 374 having a T-shaped cross sectional configuration. The T-shaped rail 374 is adapted to be received by an elongated, tapered channel 392 located in a reentrant flange 394, said channel 392 having a similar T- shaped cross sectional configuration, the T-shaped configuration of the rail 374 and channel 392 being necessary in order to prevent the rail from falling through the open bottom end of the channel 392. Again, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the film container 370 cannot be inserted into the support means 390 in an inverted manner because there would not be any structural cooperation between the two to support the film container. Also, inserting the film container 370 in a backward manner, i.e., with the film container rotated 180 about an axis perpendicular to forward wall 372, is precluded because reentrant flange 396 does not have a recess or channel for receiving rail 374.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the invention similar to that of FIG. 8. In FIG. 9, a film container 400 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 420. Film container 400 includes forward and rear walls 402 and 404 and side walls 406 and 408. A pair of elongated rails 410 and 412 extend upwardly from the forward wall 402, said rails 410 and 412 having a T-shaped configuration in cross section. Support means 420 includes a pair of side walls 422 and 424 and a pair of reentrant flanges 426 and 428 extending away from walls 422 and 424, and toward each other respectively. Each reentrant flange 426 and 428 is provided with an elongated, tapered recess or channel 430 and 432 having a T- shaped configuration in cross section. When the film container 400 and support means 420 occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other, channels 430 and 432 are adapted to receive rails 410 and 412 to guide the film container at an acute angle relative to the camera's exposure plane, as aforementioned, until the film container 400 is properly positioned and supported within the camera by the support means 420, as shown in FIG. 9. Although not readily apparent from viewing FIG. 9, it should be noted that rail 410 is located closer to side wall 406 than rail 412 is to side wall 408. This asymmetrical positioning of the rails precludes insertion of the film container 400 into supporting relationship with the support means 420 in a backward manner; and, insertion in an inverted manner is obviously precluded because of the lack of rails on the film containers rear wall 404.

In FIG. 10 is illustrated still another embodiment of the instant invention. Herein is shown a film container 430 properly positioned within and supported by a support means 450. Film container 430 is of the same general configuration as those described previously except that in this embodiment an elongated rail 432 extends from the rearwall 434 of the film container 430. The support means 450 is of the same general configuration as those previously described and further includes a reentrant flange 452 having an elongated, tapered channel 454 therein. Channel 454 is adapted to receive rail 432 when the film container 430 and support means 450 occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. Insertion of the film container in an inverted manner is precluded because rail 432 cannot clear or pass the end of reentrant flange 456 and backward insertion is prevented by reentrant flange 458 which does not have a channel therein to receive the rail 432.

FIG. 11 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 470, similar to film container 430, is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 490. Film container 470 includes a forward wall 472, side walls 474 and 476, and a rear wall 478 having a plurality of elongated rails 480 and 482 extending therefrom. Support means 490 includes side walls 492 and 494 having reentrant flanges 491, 493 and 495 extending therefrom. Each flange 493 and 495 is provided with an elongated, tapered channel 496 and 498. As in the embodiments heretofore described, the channels 496 and 498 are adapted to receive the rails 480 and 482 only when the film container 470 and support means woeecu a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. It will be noted that rail 482 is located closer to side wall 476 than rail 480 is to side wall 474. This asymmetrical positioning of the rails precludes insertion of the film container in a backward manner, and insertion in an inverted manner is precluded because reentrant flange 491 does not have a channel to receive rail 482.

FIG. 12 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 500 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 520. Film container 500 includes a forward wall 502, a rear wall 504 and side walls 506 and 508. An elongated rail 510 is located on forward wall 502 adjacent side wall 508 and a similar rail 512 is located on the rear wall 504 adjacent side wall 506. Support means 520 includes side walls 522 and 524 and reentrant flanges 526, 528 and 530. An elongated, tapered channel 532 is located in reentrant flange 528 and a similar channel 534 is located in reentrant flange 530. Channels 532 and 534 are adapted to receive rails 510 and 512 to guide the film container into its proper position within the camera when the film container 500 and support means 520 occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. As can be seen in FIG. 12, rail 510 is located closer to side wall 508 than rail 512 is to side wall 506. This asymmetrical positioning of the rails insures that the film container 500 cannot be inserted into the support means 520 in a backward manner, and the absence of a channel in reentrant flange 526 precludes insertion in an inverted manner.

FIG. 13 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment, film container 540 includes a forward wall 542, a rear wall 544, and side walls 546 and 548. An elongated rail 550 extends upwardly from forward wall 542 and a similar rail 552 extends outwardly from side wall 548. Support means 560 includes side walls 562 and 564 and a pair of reentrant flanges 566 and 568. An elongated tapered channel 570 is located in reentrant flange 568 and a similar channel 572 is located in side wall 564. Channels 570 and 572 are adapted to receive rails 550 and 552 to guide the film container 540 into its proper position within the camera when the film container 540 occupies a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the support means 560. Rail 552 is asymmetrically disposed relative to forward wall 542 and rear wall 544 so as to preclude insertion of the film container 540 into support means 560 in an inverted manner. Backward insertion of the film container 540 into the support means 560 is prevented by rails 550 and 552 striking the ends of reentrant flange 566 and side wall 562 respectively.

FIG. 14 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 580 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 600. Film container 580 includes a forward wall 582, a rear wall 584, and side walls 586 and 588. An elongated rail 590 is located on side wall 586 and a similar rail 592 is located on rear wall 584 near side wall 586. Support means 600 includes side walls 602 and 604 and reentrant flanges 606, 608, and 610. An elongated, tapered channel 612 is located in side wall 602 and a similar channel 614 is located in reentrant flange 610. Channels 612 and 614 are adapted to receive rails 590 and 592 to guide the film container into its proper position within the camera when the film container 580 and the support means 600 occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. Rail 590 is located on side wall 586 at a position closer to rear wall 584 than to forward wall 582. This asymmetrical positioning of the rail 590 prevents the film container from being inserted into the support means 600 in an inverted manner since the rail 590 would then be located in a different plane from channel 612. Backward insertion of the film container 580 into the support means 600 is precluded because rail 590 will abut the rear end of side wall 604.

As in all of the embodiments thus far described, the various elongated, tapered channels are closed at their forward end, that is to say, to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1 and are open at their rear end. Further, the channels are tapered as they move from the rear of the channel towards the front thereof, the taper being provided to allow the small degree of counterclockwise rotation of the trailing end of the film container necessary in order to position the lip on the film container in the recess in the support means, as described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 Also, the asymmetrical positioning of the rails in FIGS. 6-14 obviates the need for an enlargement near the trailing end of the rails.

FIGS. and 16 depict still another embodiment of the instant invention. In these figures there is shown a film container 620 properly located within and supported by a support means 640. Film container 620 includes a forward wall 622, a rear wall 624 and side walls 626 and 628. An elongated channel 630 is located in side wall 626 at a position closer to forward wall 622 than to rear wall 624. Support means 640 includes side walls 642 and 644 and reentrant flanges 646 and 648. An elongated, tapered rail 650 is located on an interior surface of wall 642. As can be seen in FIG. 16, channel 630 has an opening 631 at its leading portion and a closed end 633 located towards the trailing end wall 635 of the film container. Also, rib 650, shown in broken lines in FIG. 16, is tapered from front to rear, that is to say, from theleading end wall 637 of the film container towards the rear wall 635. This rearward taper of the rail 650 enables the trailing end of the film container 620 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 16, after the terminals located within the leading end wall 637 have engaged the contacts located on the support means. The open end 631 of channel 630 is adapted to receive the elongated rail 650 to guide the film container into its proper position within the support means 640 and, accordingly, the camera, when the film container 620 and the support means 640 occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. The asymmetrical positioning of the channel 630 precludes insertion of the film container 620 into the support means 640 in an inverted manner because the channel 630 and rail 650 will no longer be located in the same plane. Backward insertion of the film container 620 into the support means 640 is prevented by side wall 628 coming into engagement with the rear end 651 of rail 650.

FIG. 17 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 660 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 680. Film container 660 includes a forward wall 662, a rear wall 664, and side walls 666 and 668. Located in side wall 666 is an elongated channel 670, similar to that described in FIG 15. A similar channel 672 is located in side wall 668. Support means 680 includes side walls 682 and 684 and reentrant flanges 686 and 688. Elongated, tapered rails 690 and 692 are located on the facing surfaces of each side wall 682 and 684. Channels 670 and 672 are adapted to receive rails 690 and 692 to properly guide the container 660 within the support means 680 when the film container 660 and the support means 680 occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. Rails 690 and 692 are located in dissimilar horizontal planes, as viewed in FIG. 17, in order to prevent insertion of the film container 660 into the support means 680 in either an inverted manner or a backward manner.

FIG. 18 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment, a film container 661 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 681. Film container 661 includes a forward wall 663, a rear wall 665, and side walls 667 and 669. An elongated channel 671 having a T-shaped configuration in cross section is located in forward wall 663 adjacent side wall 669. Support means 681 includes side walls 683 and 685 and reentrant flanges 687 and 689. An inner surface of reentrant flange 689 is provided with an elongated rearwardly tapered rail 691 having a T-shaped configuration in cross section. Channel 671 is adapted to receive the rail 691 for guiding the film container into the position shown in FIG. 18 when the film container 661 and the support means 681 occupy a predetermined spatial relationship. Insertion of the film container 661 into the support means 681 in an inverted manner is precluded by the rear end of rail 691 abuttin g'tlie'leading end wall of the container. Backward insertion of the film container 661 into the support means 681 is precluded by rail 691 striking the rear or trailing end wall of the film container.

FIG. 19 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 700 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 720 of the same general configuration as that described in FIG. 18. Film container 700 includes a forward wall 702, a rear wall 704, and side walls 706 and 708. Elongated channels 710 and 712 having T-shaped configurations in cross section are provided near the lateral sides of the forward wall 702. Support means 720 includes side walls 722 and 724 and reentrant flanges 726 and 728. Each of the reentrant flanges 726 and 728 is provided with an elongated, tapered rail 730 an 732 having a T-shaped configuration in cross section. When the film container 700 occupies a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the support means 720, channels 710 and 712 are adapted to receive rails 730 and 732 for guiding and supporting the film container to its proper position relative to the cameras exposure plane. It should be noted that channel 712 is located closer to side wall 708 than channel 710 is to side wall 706. As mentioned heretofore, this asymmetrical positioning of the channels precludes backward insertion of the film container into the support means since the channels and rails will then be out of alignment. Insertion of the film container 700 into the support means 720 in an inverted manner is precluded by the rails 730 and 732 striking the leading end wall of the container.

FIG. 20 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 740 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 760. Film container 740 includes a forward wall 742, a rear wall 744, and side walls 746 and 748. Rear wall 744 is provided with an elongated channel 750. Support means 760 includes side walls 762 and 764, having a pair of reentrant flanges 766 and 768 extending from the top thereof and a pair of reentrant flanges 770 and 772 extending from the bottom edge of side walls 762 and 764. An inner surface of reentrant flange 770 is provided with an elongated rearwardly, tapered rail 774. When the film container 740 is properly orientated relative to the support means 760, i.e., it occupies a predetermined spatial relationship relative to support means 760, channel 750 is adapted to receive rail 774 for guiding the film container within the support means and the camera to its proper position relative to the cameras exposure plane. Insertion of film container 740 into the support means 760 in an inverted manner is precluded by rail 774 striking the leading end wall of the film container. Backward insertion is prevented by the rail 774 striking the trailing end wall of the film container.

FIG. 21 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 780 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 800. Film container 780 includes a forward wall 782, a rear wall 784, and side walls 786 and 788. Near each lateral side of rear wall 784 there is provided an elongated channel 790 and 792, channel 790 being located closer to side wall 786 than channel 792 is to side wall 788. Support means 800 includes side walls 802 and 804 having reentrant flanges 806 and and 808 extending from the top thereof and reentrant flanges 810 and 812 extending from the bottom thereof. Reentrant flanges 810 and 812 are each provided with an upstanding, elongated, rearwardly tapered rail 814 and 816. Channels 790 and 792 are adapted to receive rails 814 and 816 respectively for guiding the film container within the support means when the film container and the support means occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. The asymmetrical positioning of the channels 790 and 792 and their respective rails 714 and 716 precludes the insertion of the film container into the support means in a backward manner, and inverted insertion is prevented by the rails 814 and 816 striking the leading end wall of the film container.

FIG. 22 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 820 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 840. Film container 820 includes a forward wall 822, a rear wall 824, and side walls 826 and 828. Forward wall 822 is provided with an elongated channel 830 near side wall 828. Rear wall 824 is provided with an elongated channel 832 near side wall 826, channel 830 being located closer to side wall 828 than channel 832 is to side wall 826. Support means 840 includes side walls 842 and 844, a pair of reentrant flanges 846 and 848 extending from the top thereof and a reentrant flange 850 extending from the bottom of side wall 842. Reentrant flange 848 is provided with an elongated, rearwardly tapered rail 852. Reentrant flange 850 is provided with a similar rail 854. Channels 830 and 832 are adapted to receive rails 852 and 854 for guiding the film container within the support means to its proper position relative to the cameras exposure plane. The asymmetrical disposition of the channels 830 and 832 and their respective rails 852 and 854 preclude insertion of the film container into the support means in an inverted fashion, and backward insertion is prevented by rails 852 and 854 striking the trailing end wall of the film container.

FIG. 23 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 860 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 880. Film container 860 includes a forward wall 862, a rear wall 864, and side walls 866 and 868. Forward wall 862 is provided with an elongated channel 870 near side wall 868. Side wall 868 is provided with a similar elongated channel 872, said channel 872 being located closer to rear wall 864 than to forward wall 862. Support means 880 includes side walls 882 and 884 having reentrant flanges 886 and 888 extending inwardly therefrom. Reentrant flange 888 is provided with an elongated, rearwardly tapered rail 890. Side wall 884 is provided with an elongated, rearwardly tapered rail 892. Channels 870 and 872 are adapted to receive rails 890 and 892 for guiding the film container within the support means when the support means and the film container occupy a predetermined spatial relationship relative to each other. As is obvious from an inspection of FIG. 23, the relative position of the channels and their respective rails relative to the forward and rear walls of the film container preclude insertion of the film container into the support means in either an inverted or a backward manner.

FIG. 24 depicts still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 900 is shown properly positioned within and supported by a support means 920. Film container 900 includes a forward wall 902, a rear wall 904, and side walls 906 and 908. Side wall 906 is provided with an elongated channel 910 and rear wall 904 is provided with a similar channel 912. Support means 920 includes side walls 922 and 924, reentrant flanges 926 and 928 extending inwardly from the top thereof and areentrant flange 930 extending inwardly from the bottom of side wall 924. Side wall 922 is provided with an elongated, rearwardly tapered rail 932 and reentrant flange 930 is provided with an elongated, rearwardly tapered channel 934. As in the embodiments previously described, the channels 910 and 912 and their respective rails 932 and 934 are adapted to be in line with each other only when the film container 900 occupies a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the support means 920. This precludes any insertion of the film container into the support means in an inverted or backward manner.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a corner of a film container 940 located within a support means 960. In this embodiment the film container 940 includes a side wall 942 and a forward wall 944. Forward wall 944 is provided with an elongated channel 946 and an elongated, rearwardly tapered rail 948 having a T-shaped configuration in cross section. Support means 960 includes a side wall 962 and a reentrant flange 964 extending inwardly from the top thereof. Reentrant flange 964 is provided with an elongated, rearwardly tapered rail 966 and an elongated channel 968 having a generally T-shaped configuration in cross section. Channel 946 and T-shaped rail 948 are adapted to cooperate with rail 966 and channel 968 when the film container 940 occupies a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the support means 960. Again, the rails 948 and 966 act as stops to prevent insertion of the film container 940 into the support means 960 in an inverted and/or backward manner.

FIGS. 26-28 depict still another embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment a film container 970 is shown, in FIG. 26, partially inserted into a support means 990, schematically represented as a chamber within a camera having an exposure aperture 991 in its forward wall 992 and an opening 993 for receiving the film container 970. Film container 970 includes a forward wall 971 having an exposure aperture 972 therein defined by a rib 973; a leading end wall 974 having an opening 975 for allowing the movement of a film unit to the exterior of the film container; a trailing end wall 976, and a rear wall 977. A pair of openings or slots 978 and 979 extend rearwardly on the forward wall 971 and then part way down trailing end wall 976. Slot 978 is adapted to receive suitable film advancing means (not shown) of the type which engages a film unit at its trailing end and moves it through opening 975 as compared with one which engages the film unit near its leading end, as described in FIG. 1. Slot 979 functions as a guide means and cooperates with guide means on the support member for insuring that slot 978 is properly orientated with respect to the aforementioned film advancing means as will be explained hereinafter.

Support means 990 further includes a recess 993 in forward wall 992 for receiving an extension 980 located on the rear end wall 976 of the film container; a rear wall 994 having a pair of cams 995 mounted thereon; and a trailing end wall 996 having a spring 997 suitably mounted thereon. A second guide means 998 in the form of an elongated, shallow rib is mounted on the interior surface of forward wall 992. Guide means 998 is adapted to enter guide means 979 in the film container 970 to properly position the container within the support means 990 only when the. film container is properly orientated relative to the support means.

The film container 970 is inserted into the support means 990 as shown in FIG. 26. When rear wall 977 of the container rides up onto the cams 995, the latter direct the lip or extension 980 into the recess 993 while simultaneously moving the slots 978 and 979 upwardly until the film advancing means enters slot 978 and the second guide means 998 enters slot 979. Spring means (not shown) may be mounted on rear wall 994 near opening 993 to urge the remainder of the film container into the exposure plane of the camera such that rib 973 extends upwardly through exposure aperture 991. Spring 997 urges the film container to the left, as seen in FIG. 26, to maintain that portion of rib 973 which is closest leading end wall 974 in frictional engagement with the adjacent portion of the exposure aperture 991 to help maintain the film container in position for exposure of the forwardmost film unit within the container 970. It can be seen that the cooperation between the guide means 979 and 998 is such that the film container 970 can only be fully inserted into the support means 990 when the film container and support means are positioned as shown in FIG. 26. Should the container be improperly inserted into the support means, a portion of the container will still remain outside of the support means 990 due to the blocking function of guide means 998. Whenever this situation exists means (not shown) are provided in the camera to prevent actuation of the cameras shutter. Also, the slots 978 and 979 are identical in configuration and are symmetrically located in the container so that the container could be used in a camera having a film advancing means which is adapted to enter slot 979 rather than slot 978. In the latter case the guide means 998 would be located above slot 978, as viewed in FIG. 26. As in the previous embodiments, battery and thermistor terminals may be located on leading end wall 974 such that they will be engaged by corresponding contacts located within the camera.

From the foregoing it can be seen that there has been disclosed a novel cooperation between a film container and its support member. This cooperation enables the user of a camera to rapidly load the camera with a container of film units in such a manner that the user has full confidence that the forwardmost film unit is properly located in position for exposure thereby obviating the possibility that the first exposure will be ruined due to improper loading of the film container. The film container is initially received by the support means at a position relatively remote from the main body of the camera and thereafter is slid along a predetermined path until it reaches its proper position within the camera. The structure responsible for this cooperation, i.e., rails and channels, is simple, inexpensive, reliable, and insures proper loading of the film container while minimizing possible damage to the camera.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is: l. Photographic apparatus including a container and support means for positioning and supporting the container adjacent an exposure plane within a photographic structure comprising:

a container housing at least one film unit; first guide means located on said container; support means for supporting said container with said one film unit located substantially parallel with and adjacent to the exposure plane of the photographic structure; and

second guide means located on said support means and disposed at an acute angle relative to the exposure plane of the photographic structure for receiving said first guide means when said film container is disposed in only one orientation relative to said support means and for cooperating with said first guide means to restrict the path of travel of said container into said support means to a plane disposed at an acute angle relative to the exposure plane of the photographic structure until said container is partially inserted into said support means and thereafter to provide angular movement of said container relative to said support means for locating said container in a plane substantially parallel with the exposure plane of the photographic structure.

2. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said first and second guide means includes at least one protrusion means and the other of said first and second guide means includes at least one recess means.

3. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said container and said support means each includes at least one protrusion means and one recess means.

4. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said protrusion means is located on said container and said recess means is located on said support means.

5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including terminal means mounted on said container and contact means mounted on said support means, said terminal means being engageable by said contact means when said support means is supporting said container with said film unit located in position for exposure.

6. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5 further including biasing means on said support means for resiliently urging said contact means into engagement with said terminal means.

7. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said protrusion means includes a rail adapted to be received by said recess means.

8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said rail includes an enlargement near one portion thereof, said enlargement being of a size to preclude insertion of said portion of said rail into said recess means.

9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said protrusion means includes a plurality of elongated rails and said recess means includes a plurality of channels adapted to receive said rails.

10. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said rails have dissimilar configurations.

ll. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said container includes forward, rear and side walls, one of said elongated rails being mounted on one of said side walls near said forward wall and another of said rails being mounted on another of said side walls near said rear wall.

12. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the spacing between said one rail and said forward wall and between said other rail and said rear wall is different.

13. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said protrusion means is located on said support means and said recess means is located on said container.

14. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said protrusion means includes a rail adapted to be received by said recess means.

15. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said protrusion means includes a plurality of elongated rails and said recess means includes a plurality of channels adapted to receive said rails.

16. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said container includes forward, rear and side walls, one of said channels being located on one of said side walls near said forward wall and another of said channels being located on another of said side walls near said rear wall.

17. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the spacing between said one channel and said forward wall and between said other channel and said rear wall is different.

18. Photographic apparatus including a container and support means for positioning and supporting the container adjacent an exposure plane within a photographic structure comprising:

a container housing at least one film unit;

support means for supporting said container with said one film unit located substantially parallel with and adjacent to the exposure plane of the photographic structure;

first guide means on said container including a plurality of channels;

second guide means on said support means including a plurality of elongated rails adapted to be received by said channels;

said first and second guide means being dimensioned to receive each other in only one orientation relative to each other, on loading of said container into said support means, and thereafter allowing sliding movement of said container relative to said support means, along a path at an acute angle relative to said exposure plane into a position adjacent said exposure plane;

terminal means mounted on said container;

contact means mounted on said support means;

biasing means on said support means for resiliently urging said contact means into engagement with said terminal means when said support means is supporting said container with said film unit located in position for exposure; and

means located on said container near one end thereof and engageable by a portion of said support means for supporting said one end of said container, said biasing means urging said contact means into engagement with said terminal means to assist in maintaining said means located on said container near one end thereof in engagement with said support means.

19. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said biasing means urges said one end of said container toward said exposure plane when said means is in engagement with said portion and away from said exposure plane when said means is out of engagement with said portion thereby facilitating removal of said container from said photographic structure.

20. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said container includes a forward wall having a rib therein, said rib including a beveled area to preclude supporting engagement of said rib by said portion when said film container is being removed from said photographic structure.

21. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said forward wall is in lighttight engagement with said support means when said one film unit is located in position for exposure.

22. A photographic film assemblage including at least one film unit adapted for one way insertion into a photographic structure of the type having an exposure plane and support means including tapered guide means and a recess for supporting the film assemblage with said one film unit located adjacent said exposure plane in position for exposure, said film assemblage comprising:

a container housing at least one film unit;

elongated guide means asymmetrically disposed on said container such that one end of said elongated guide means terminates near one end of said container, said elongated guide means being configured such that said one end of said elongated guide means may be received by said tapered guide means on said support means only when said container occupies a single spatial relationship with said support means, said elongated guide means upon insertion in the photographic structure cooperating with said tapered guide means to restrict the path of travel of said container into said support means to a plane disposed at an acute angle relative to said exposure plane until said container is partially inserted into said support means at which point said one end of said elongated guide means cooperates with said tapered guide means to provide a pivot point about which said container rotates to locate said container in a plane substantially parallel with said exposure plane of the photographic structure to locate said one film unit in position for exposure.

23. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 further including means on an end of said container opposite said one end configured to be located in said recess on said support means when said container is positioned to locate said one film unit in position for exposure for securing said op posite end of said container to said support means.

24. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 23 wherein said elongated guide means includes an elongated rail.

25. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 24 wherein said elongated rail includes an enlargement at an end of said rail opposite said one end, said enlargement being of a size to preclude insertion of said enlargement into said tapered guide means on said support means.

26. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 further including terminal means mounted on said container, said terminal means being engageable by contact means located on the support means when said container is supported by the support means with said film unit located in position for exposure.

27. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 26 wherein said container includes forward, end and rear walls, said terminal means being mounted on said end wall at a position closer to said forward wall than said rear wall.

28. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated guide means includes recess means located on said container.

29. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated guide means include a plurality of elongated rails having dissimilar configurations.

30. A photographic film assembly as defined in claim 29 wherein said container includes side walls and one of said plurality of elongated rails is mounted on one said side walls and another of said plurality of elongated rails is mounted on another of said side walls.

31. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 30 wherein said container further includes forward and rear walls, the spacing between said one rail and said forward wall and between said other rail and said rear wall being different.

32. A photographic film apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated guide means includes at least one protrusion means and one recess means.

33. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated guide means includes a plurality of elongated channels located on said container.

34. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 33 wherein said container includes side walls, one of said channels being located on one of said side walls and another of said channels being located on another of said side walls.

35. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 34 wherein said container further includes forward and rear walls, the spacing between said one channel and said forward wall and between said other channel and said rear wall being different.

36. Photographic apparatus including a container housing at least one film unit and support means for positioning and supporting the container within a photographic structure of the type having an exposure plane and film advancing means for moving a film unit from the container, said photographic apparatus comprising:

a container housing at least one film unit and having forward and rear walls and leading and trailing ends, said container further including a first opening in said forward wall through which the film advancing means is adapted to extend;

support means including forward, side, and rear walls disposed to define a chamber within the photographic structure for receiving said film container such that said film unit is positioned adjacent the exposure plane and the advancing means is aligned with said first opening in said forward wall of said container;

first guide means including a second opening in said forward wall of said container near the trailing end thereof; and

second guide means including a protrusion depending from said forward wall of said support means and dimensioned to extend into said second opening in said forward wall of said container when said container is fully inserted into said support means and cam means on said rear wall of said support means for engaging said rear wall of said film container as it is inserted into said support means and elevating said trailing end of said container such that said protrusion on said support means extends into said second opening in said forward wall of said container thereby insuring alignment of the advancing means and said first opening in said forward wall of said container. 

1. Photographic apparatus including a container and support means for positioning and supporting the container adjacent an exposure plane within a photographic structure comprising: a container housing at least one film unit; first guide means located on said container; support means for supporting said container with said one film unit located substantially parallel with and adjacent to the exposure plane of the photographic structure; and second guide means located on said support means and disposed at an acute angle relative to the exposure plane of the photographic structure for receiving said first guide means when said film container is disposed in only one orientation relative to said support means and for cooperating with said first guide means to restrict the path of travel of said container into said support means to a plane disposed at an acute angle relative to the exposure plane of the photographic structure until said container is partially inserted into said support means and thereafter to provide angular movement of said container relative to said support means for locating said container in a plane substantially parallel with the exposure plane of the photographic structure.
 2. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said first and second guide means includes at least one protrusion means and the other of said first and second guide means includes at least one recess means.
 3. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said container and said support means each includes at least one protrUsion means and one recess means.
 4. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said protrusion means is located on said container and said recess means is located on said support means.
 5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including terminal means mounted on said container and contact means mounted on said support means, said terminal means being engageable by said contact means when said support means is supporting said container with said film unit located in position for exposure.
 6. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5 further including biasing means on said support means for resiliently urging said contact means into engagement with said terminal means.
 7. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said protrusion means includes a rail adapted to be received by said recess means.
 8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said rail includes an enlargement near one portion thereof, said enlargement being of a size to preclude insertion of said portion of said rail into said recess means.
 9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said protrusion means includes a plurality of elongated rails and said recess means includes a plurality of channels adapted to receive said rails.
 10. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said rails have dissimilar configurations.
 11. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said container includes forward, rear and side walls, one of said elongated rails being mounted on one of said side walls near said forward wall and another of said rails being mounted on another of said side walls near said rear wall.
 12. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the spacing between said one rail and said forward wall and between said other rail and said rear wall is different.
 13. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said protrusion means is located on said support means and said recess means is located on said container.
 14. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said protrusion means includes a rail adapted to be received by said recess means.
 15. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said protrusion means includes a plurality of elongated rails and said recess means includes a plurality of channels adapted to receive said rails.
 16. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said container includes forward, rear and side walls, one of said channels being located on one of said side walls near said forward wall and another of said channels being located on another of said side walls near said rear wall.
 17. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the spacing between said one channel and said forward wall and between said other channel and said rear wall is different.
 18. Photographic apparatus including a container and support means for positioning and supporting the container adjacent an exposure plane within a photographic structure comprising: a container housing at least one film unit; support means for supporting said container with said one film unit located substantially parallel with and adjacent to the exposure plane of the photographic structure; first guide means on said container including a plurality of channels; second guide means on said support means including a plurality of elongated rails adapted to be received by said channels; said first and second guide means being dimensioned to receive each other in only one orientation relative to each other, on loading of said container into said support means, and thereafter allowing sliding movement of said container relative to said support means, along a path at an acute angle relative to said exposure plane into a position adjacent said exposure plane; terminal means mounted on said container; contact means mounted on said support means; biasing means on said support means for resiliently urging said contact meAns into engagement with said terminal means when said support means is supporting said container with said film unit located in position for exposure; and means located on said container near one end thereof and engageable by a portion of said support means for supporting said one end of said container, said biasing means urging said contact means into engagement with said terminal means to assist in maintaining said means located on said container near one end thereof in engagement with said support means.
 19. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said biasing means urges said one end of said container toward said exposure plane when said means is in engagement with said portion and away from said exposure plane when said means is out of engagement with said portion thereby facilitating removal of said container from said photographic structure.
 20. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said container includes a forward wall having a rib therein, said rib including a beveled area to preclude supporting engagement of said rib by said portion when said film container is being removed from said photographic structure.
 21. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said forward wall is in lighttight engagement with said support means when said one film unit is located in position for exposure.
 22. A photographic film assemblage including at least one film unit adapted for one way insertion into a photographic structure of the type having an exposure plane and support means including tapered guide means and a recess for supporting the film assemblage with said one film unit located adjacent said exposure plane in position for exposure, said film assemblage comprising: a container housing at least one film unit; elongated guide means asymmetrically disposed on said container such that one end of said elongated guide means terminates near one end of said container, said elongated guide means being configured such that said one end of said elongated guide means may be received by said tapered guide means on said support means only when said container occupies a single spatial relationship with said support means, said elongated guide means upon insertion in the photographic structure cooperating with said tapered guide means to restrict the path of travel of said container into said support means to a plane disposed at an acute angle relative to said exposure plane until said container is partially inserted into said support means at which point said one end of said elongated guide means cooperates with said tapered guide means to provide a pivot point about which said container rotates to locate said container in a plane substantially parallel with said exposure plane of the photographic structure to locate said one film unit in position for exposure.
 23. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 further including means on an end of said container opposite said one end configured to be located in said recess on said support means when said container is positioned to locate said one film unit in position for exposure for securing said opposite end of said container to said support means.
 24. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 23 wherein said elongated guide means includes an elongated rail.
 25. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 24 wherein said elongated rail includes an enlargement at an end of said rail opposite said one end, said enlargement being of a size to preclude insertion of said enlargement into said tapered guide means on said support means.
 26. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 further including terminal means mounted on said container, said terminal means being engageable by contact means located on the support means when said container is supported by the support means with said film unit located in position for exposure.
 27. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 26 wherein said container inclUdes forward, end and rear walls, said terminal means being mounted on said end wall at a position closer to said forward wall than said rear wall.
 28. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated guide means includes recess means located on said container.
 29. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated guide means include a plurality of elongated rails having dissimilar configurations.
 30. A photographic film assembly as defined in claim 29 wherein said container includes side walls and one of said plurality of elongated rails is mounted on one said side walls and another of said plurality of elongated rails is mounted on another of said side walls.
 31. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 30 wherein said container further includes forward and rear walls, the spacing between said one rail and said forward wall and between said other rail and said rear wall being different.
 32. A photographic film apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated guide means includes at least one protrusion means and one recess means.
 33. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated guide means includes a plurality of elongated channels located on said container.
 34. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 33 wherein said container includes side walls, one of said channels being located on one of said side walls and another of said channels being located on another of said side walls.
 35. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 34 wherein said container further includes forward and rear walls, the spacing between said one channel and said forward wall and between said other channel and said rear wall being different.
 36. Photographic apparatus including a container housing at least one film unit and support means for positioning and supporting the container within a photographic structure of the type having an exposure plane and film advancing means for moving a film unit from the container, said photographic apparatus comprising: a container housing at least one film unit and having forward and rear walls and leading and trailing ends, said container further including a first opening in said forward wall through which the film advancing means is adapted to extend; support means including forward, side, and rear walls disposed to define a chamber within the photographic structure for receiving said film container such that said film unit is positioned adjacent the exposure plane and the advancing means is aligned with said first opening in said forward wall of said container; first guide means including a second opening in said forward wall of said container near the trailing end thereof; and second guide means including a protrusion depending from said forward wall of said support means and dimensioned to extend into said second opening in said forward wall of said container when said container is fully inserted into said support means and cam means on said rear wall of said support means for engaging said rear wall of said film container as it is inserted into said support means and elevating said trailing end of said container such that said protrusion on said support means extends into said second opening in said forward wall of said container thereby insuring alignment of the advancing means and said first opening in said forward wall of said container. 